Why do teens make impulsive decisions even when they know better? Join Jessi and Erin as they sit down with Stephanie Muller and Jahira Campazano from Safe Harbor to decode adolescent brain development and behavior.

Learn practical strategies for setting boundaries, navigating emotional outbursts, and maintaining open communication without pushing your teen away. Plus, explore how social media exploits teen vulnerabilities and why real-world connections matter more than ever.

Perfect for parents navigating the journey of raising teenagers. Find out how to be your teen's safe space while still holding them accountable.

Topics covered:

• 🧠Teen brain development
• ❌ Setting healthy boundaries
• 📱Social media's impact
• 📖Teaching accountability
• 🤝Staying connected

Episode #23, December 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #23

We're back just in time for Family Literacy Month this November! In this episode, we're diving into an important discussion relevant to parents everywhere - how kids really learn to read. Join Jessi and Erin with a special guest, Chad Aldeman, creator of Read Not Guess. This free, online resource is helping families and schools shift toward Structured Literacy, which is focused on letter sounds and builds difficulty as a child progresses with the goal of creating fundamental building blocks for comprehension and critical thinking.

In this episode learn all about:

• 📉Current U.S. literacy statistics

• 📖Practical, evidence-based ways to support your child’s reading journey at home

• 🚩How to spot a child struggling to read

• 💡Benefits of science-based reading instruction

Episode #22, November 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode 22

Ever feel lost when teens say something is "mid" or "giving main character energy"? Join Jessi and Erin as their special guest, Emily Moyers, a Teen Librarian at PML and self professed language lover breaks down the wild world of modern slang – from how it spreads faster than ever on social media to why some terms stick while others get left on read.

What's inside:

✨ The psychology behind why teens create new language 📱 Which platforms are slang factories (hint: it's not just TikTok) ⚡ Cultural appropriation vs. natural language evolution 🎯 Parent survival guide to staying current without being cringe 🧠 Slang quiz to test your fluency!

Whether you're a confused parent or just fascinated by how language evolves, this episode will leave you absolutely shook by the creativity of modern communication.

No cap – this one hits different! 💯

Episode Timestamps:

0:01 – Introduction 03:15 – Terms and Patterns 05:15 – Reference points for slang 06:45 – How can parents stay informed 08:55 – How does slang reflect Gen Z cultural shifts/values 10:50 – How does their time online influence slang 13:30 – Life cycle of slang terms 14:20 – Influence of marginalized groups on slang (appropriation vs mainstream) 18:30 – Possible hidden meanings of slang terms 22:05 – Platforms where slang is being created 23:40 – Favorite slang terms 28:10 – Slang quiz 35:00 - Closing

Episode #21, May 2025

For more resources on this topic, check out our topic guide: Resource Guide Episode #21